We may use IP address information, collected from businesses visiting our site, to contact business visitors about their experience or for marketing purposes. Carry on browsing if you’re happy with this, or manage your settings here

Over 50 homes feeling the benefit of solar power

On 7 July 2011 neighbours Doreen Bowler and Marion Parsons became the 50th and 51st citizens to have solar panels installed on the roof of their homes in Aspley.

Nottingham City Council is working in partnership with E.ON and Nottingham City Homes to install solar panels on around 600 homes in the area.

The project began in March and over the coming months, around 15 homes a week will have up to 10 solar panels installed on the roof enabling them to benefit from the renewable energy being generated for years to come.

The project will reduce energy bills for people in one of the most deprived areas of the city, at a time when energy costs are rising. It is estimated that the solar panels could save homeowners up to £120 a year.

This project is one of the largest domestic photovoltaic (PV) schemes in the UK and builds on Nottingham’s excellent track record for successfully delivering large scale energy infrastructure projects. Nottingham already provides 11 per cent of its own energy and this scheme will enhance the city’s position as the UK’s most energy self-sufficient city.

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy, said: “It’s great to see the roll out of solar panels on home in Aspley which will help reduce fuel poverty and support our carbon reduction targets. I hope that in the future other areas of the city will be able to benefit from free solar panels in the same way.”

The Council is effectively ‘renting’ the roof space to E.ON, who is funding and fitting the solar panels, processing the electricity generated and selling any surplus electricity generated above the householders’ needs back to the national grid.

Thomas Buss, Head of Microgeneration at E.ON, said: “Together, we’re making great strides to help get the people of Aspley energy fit and we’ll be seeing hundreds more families benefiting from this project in the weeks and months to come. It’s by working in partnership with councils and the community that we can have the biggest impact on reducing fuel bills and cutting our carbon emissions.”

The Council has already fitted loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation into 3,000 homes in Aspley which has created a ‘Super Warm Zone’. The addition of solar panels to some of these suitable homes will be a further asset.

Any Nottingham City Homes tenants in Aspley can call FREEPHONE 0800 051 5687 to find out if their home is eligible for the free solar panels.